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Showing posts with label Vote 2016. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vote 2016. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
NEW YORK -- Common Cause/NY has a problem with the way New York State holds its primary election system.
Executive Director, Susan Lerner, said in a statement released Tuesday, "New York's closed-shut primary effectively rewards partisanship and punishes independent minded voters by preventing them from participating fully in the democratic process. But don't yell at the poll workers. Call your lawmakers in Albany and tell them to fix New York's system of elections."
Unlike voters in many states, a New York voter cannot register to vote at their polling place on primary election day. That means independents and late registrations are excluded from the primary voting process. In New York, the deadline to change or declare party enrollment for presidential primary was "wildly early," according to Lerner: Oct. 9, 2015.
New York is one of only 11 states with closed primaries. Eleven other states have open primaries in which members of either party can vote freely for any candidate regardless of party affiliation.
Twenty-four states have a hybrid system, with some variation between open and closed primaries for handling unaffiliated voters and changing registration. Eleven states plus the District of Columbia have same-day registration, allowing unregistered and unaffiliated voters to show up on Election Day and participate. Similar legislation is withering on the vine in New York.
Simply fixing New York's retrograde primary rules would be a start, but it isn't enough. A modern mobile society with a 24-hour news cycle needs one uniform set of rules for registering voters, including same-day registration, that apply equally across the country.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
news@eastniagarapost.com
Executive Director, Susan Lerner, said in a statement released Tuesday, "New York's closed-shut primary effectively rewards partisanship and punishes independent minded voters by preventing them from participating fully in the democratic process. But don't yell at the poll workers. Call your lawmakers in Albany and tell them to fix New York's system of elections."
Unlike voters in many states, a New York voter cannot register to vote at their polling place on primary election day. That means independents and late registrations are excluded from the primary voting process. In New York, the deadline to change or declare party enrollment for presidential primary was "wildly early," according to Lerner: Oct. 9, 2015.
New York is one of only 11 states with closed primaries. Eleven other states have open primaries in which members of either party can vote freely for any candidate regardless of party affiliation.
Twenty-four states have a hybrid system, with some variation between open and closed primaries for handling unaffiliated voters and changing registration. Eleven states plus the District of Columbia have same-day registration, allowing unregistered and unaffiliated voters to show up on Election Day and participate. Similar legislation is withering on the vine in New York.
Simply fixing New York's retrograde primary rules would be a start, but it isn't enough. A modern mobile society with a 24-hour news cycle needs one uniform set of rules for registering voters, including same-day registration, that apply equally across the country.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
BY +Scott Leffler
scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com
GOP frontrunner Donald Trump easily won the New York State primary Tuesday with more than 60 percent of the statewide vote -- and an even greater number here in Niagara County. Democrat Bernie Sanders also took Niagara County, but lost by a wide margin statewide to former Sec. of State Hillary Clinton.
For Trump, his victory was overwhelming, taking approximately 90 of the potential 95 delegates across New York, including the three from the 27th Congressional District, where he was endorsed by Congressman Chris Collins.
Trump will need to continue to sweep upcoming states in order to possibly exceed the 1,237 he needs to secure the Republican nomination on the first ballot at the GOP convention in Cleveland, Ohio in July. With New York's expected tally, he is 391 shy. There are 620 delegates left to be awarded.
Clinton would appear to have the Democratic nomination locked with tonight's statewide victory. Including superdelegates, she has 1,893 delegates secured of the 2,383 needed. Each party is responsible for how they select candidates and each has its own delegate formula. Sanders, with 1,180 total pledged delegates, would need 1,203 to win the nomination outright. There are only 1,380 left to be awarded.
Although Sanders lost statewide by a 58/42 margin, he won in 51 of New York's 62 counties. In fact, Sanders took all of Western New York's more rural counties -- that is to say, except Erie and Monroe counties. He also took all of Upstate New York with the exception of Onondaga County.
The next contest is April 26, when Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island are up to vote.
The total county votes for each candidate follows:
Republicans
Donald Trump -- 10,940
John Kasich ------ 3,077
Ted Cruz ---------- 2,197
Democrats
Bernie Sanders --- 8,916
Hillary Clinton --- 7,694
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com
 |
Donald Trump easily captured Niagara County -- and
New York State in Tuesday's primary. (ENP FILE
PHOTO BY HEATHER GRIMMER)
|
For Trump, his victory was overwhelming, taking approximately 90 of the potential 95 delegates across New York, including the three from the 27th Congressional District, where he was endorsed by Congressman Chris Collins.
Trump will need to continue to sweep upcoming states in order to possibly exceed the 1,237 he needs to secure the Republican nomination on the first ballot at the GOP convention in Cleveland, Ohio in July. With New York's expected tally, he is 391 shy. There are 620 delegates left to be awarded.
Clinton would appear to have the Democratic nomination locked with tonight's statewide victory. Including superdelegates, she has 1,893 delegates secured of the 2,383 needed. Each party is responsible for how they select candidates and each has its own delegate formula. Sanders, with 1,180 total pledged delegates, would need 1,203 to win the nomination outright. There are only 1,380 left to be awarded.
Although Sanders lost statewide by a 58/42 margin, he won in 51 of New York's 62 counties. In fact, Sanders took all of Western New York's more rural counties -- that is to say, except Erie and Monroe counties. He also took all of Upstate New York with the exception of Onondaga County.
The next contest is April 26, when Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island are up to vote.
The total county votes for each candidate follows:
Republicans
Donald Trump -- 10,940
John Kasich ------ 3,077
Ted Cruz ---------- 2,197
Democrats
Bernie Sanders --- 8,916
Hillary Clinton --- 7,694
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
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| GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to nearly 15,000 supporters Monday night at First Niagara Center. (PHOTOS BY SCOTT LEFFLER / ENP STAFF) |
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
BUFFALO -- With a throng of protesters outside First Niagara Center Monday night, GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump told nearly 15,000 people inside the arena about "our police and our firemen down at 7-Eleven, down at the World Trade Center right after it came down. And I saw the greatest people I've ever seen in action."
 |
Several protesters were ushered out of the arena and six arrests
were reported.
|
Trump, a statistical lock in today's New York State primary, did not correct the mistake -- or even pause in his speech. He carried on with the point that the work of the police and fire departments on Sept. 11 -- not the convenience store -- was an example of real "New York values," a dig at GOP challenger Ted Cruz -- or "lyin' Ted Cruz," as Trump referred to him.
The mistake was immediately noted by international news outlets including NBC, CNN, the Mirror, Huffington Post and more.
Buffalo Bills Head Coach Rex Ryan introduced Trump. Buffalo real estate developer Carl Paladino and Congressman Chris Collins also spoke. Erie County Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy emceed the event, working up the crowd prior to Collins and Paladino's speeches.
Several protesters were removed from the event and six arrests were reported. Following the event, a peaceful protest walk marched north on Washington Street -- away from the arena.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
Niagara County District Attorney candidate Caroline Wojtaszek will have the backing of the county Independence Party.
Niagara County Independence Party Chairwoman Susan Agnello Eberwein called the former prosecutor “the reformer we need to restore public trust” in the DA’s office in an endorsement announcement offered on Monday.
“As a taxpayer and county resident, I know that we need to get our District Attorney’s office back on track,” Eberwein said. “The problem is not with most of our prosecutors—they are capable and have a good track record enforcing the law. What is needed, though, is effective leadership. Caroline Wojtaszek offers that.”
The endorsement comes less than a week after Wojtaszek announced her candidacy. Wojtaszek, an experienced prosecutor who spent more than a dozen years in the DA’s office, is currently law clerk to County Court Judge Sara Sheldon. During her time as a top prosecutor, Wojtaszek successfully tried and won convictions in several high-profile murder, rape, and sex abuse trials.
“The District Attorney needs to be someone experienced in keeping us safe from criminals, but also who knows how to best apply the law to protect communities, preserve family structures, and repair underlying problems. Caroline Wojtaszek’s long tenure as a prosecutor—a successful prosecutor—makes her the best possible candidate,” Chairwoman Eberwein said.
“The DA is also a manager, though, and that office needs reform and oversight, and most importantly, a commitment to professional ethics. Caroline Wojtaszek is a principled leader and will be a great DA.”
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
news@eastniagarapost.com
 |
| Caroline Wojtaszek |
Niagara County Independence Party Chairwoman Susan Agnello Eberwein called the former prosecutor “the reformer we need to restore public trust” in the DA’s office in an endorsement announcement offered on Monday.
“As a taxpayer and county resident, I know that we need to get our District Attorney’s office back on track,” Eberwein said. “The problem is not with most of our prosecutors—they are capable and have a good track record enforcing the law. What is needed, though, is effective leadership. Caroline Wojtaszek offers that.”
The endorsement comes less than a week after Wojtaszek announced her candidacy. Wojtaszek, an experienced prosecutor who spent more than a dozen years in the DA’s office, is currently law clerk to County Court Judge Sara Sheldon. During her time as a top prosecutor, Wojtaszek successfully tried and won convictions in several high-profile murder, rape, and sex abuse trials.
“The District Attorney needs to be someone experienced in keeping us safe from criminals, but also who knows how to best apply the law to protect communities, preserve family structures, and repair underlying problems. Caroline Wojtaszek’s long tenure as a prosecutor—a successful prosecutor—makes her the best possible candidate,” Chairwoman Eberwein said.
“The DA is also a manager, though, and that office needs reform and oversight, and most importantly, a commitment to professional ethics. Caroline Wojtaszek is a principled leader and will be a great DA.”
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
I wanted to go to the Lockport mayoral debates, but I had to do Express stuff at the arena. So I missed that debate, which I really wanted to see. When I got home from the arena around 9 p.m, I figured I would turn on the CNN Democratic debate to see how badly Bernie was whooping Hillary. I did not realize that it was another nearly three hour marathon that gets really boring after hour two. Someone needs to tell CNN that these are debates and not telethons.
So I start watching the debate and instantly two things stood out. Firstly, there is this Martin O’Malley guy from Maryland who was looking very strong when I started watching the debate. He made good points, he was articulate and he didn’t say anything that made me stop and question my sanity. Unfortunately, the O’Malley factor wore off as the hour went on and I was left with Jim Webb crying about air time and Lincoln Chafee looking like his vodka buzz was just wearing off.
Secondly, I noticed that the Democrats wanted to talk about issues! They wanted to talk about issues that were important 10 and 15 years ago, but they wanted to talk about issues! It was nice to hear presidential candidates talking about immigration and other issues in a context that was almost contemporary. It is better than listening to grown adults argue about how much air time Donald Trump is getting.
I followed a little bit of Trump’s tweets about the debate and they were predictable. The Democratic debate could have been the greatest political event in American history and he still would have made comments akin to a sixth grader talking about a movie his parents made him watch one Sunday afternoon. Trump is a blowhard and a bully. If he gets elected president, then everyone gets what they deserve.
The biggest difference I found between the Democrats and the Republicans is that the Democrats want to get their positions on the issues heard, and the Republicans are content to look like a circus. At both of the Republican debates, I could hear the Benny Hill music running in the background as they talked about themselves, each other and everything except issues. The Democrats were dwelling so much on the past that I had to look at my calendar to make sure it was 2015.
But, much to my surprise, I heard voices piercing through the tent canvas of the Republican debates that intrigued me. When Scott Walker bowed out of the race, I was not surprised. But when it was announced that a couple of the larger GOP financial backers were throwing their money behind Marco Rubio, I was not surprised by that either. I felt that Rubio did well during both Republican debates and I was not surprised to see his campaign get a boost after the debates ended.
So who will get a boost after this debate is over? I would imagine that Martin O’Malley will start getting more attention and Jim Webb may start his own Jerry Springer-esque talk show. Webb did not look happy all night long as Sanders, Clinton and O’Malley commanded most of the attention. Meanwhile, Lincoln Chafee just stood there smiling and…well…smiling.
In the end, Bernie Sanders took a beating, but not from any of the candidates on the stage. I don’t feel that Hillary or anyone else beat Sanders in that debate. Bernie just looks old, he acts old and his ideas seem inconsistent to me. There were positions he had taken a few months ago on issues that looked like they changed to me (most notably his constant flopping around on the gun issues). He danced around some of the more difficult questions that Hillary attacked head-on, and he stammered a lot on many of his answers.
Sad to say, I think that the end result of this debate will be that Hillary will wind up with the Democratic nomination. If Trump is the best the GOP can do, then Hillary will be our first female president.
Is another President Clinton such a bad thing? Hillary never struck me as being as smart as Bubba. She always seemed shifty to me, and she always appeared to have ulterior motives. I will say this; I will take Hillary over Trump any day of the week.
This election will be another case of the lesser of two evils. But the gap between one evil and the other in this case is so wide, that the choice for me would be obvious.
Man, it seems like forever since I cast a vote for a president that I actually believed in. I wonder how many other people feel that way?
+George N Root III is a Lockport resident and amateur political idiot. Follow him on Twitter @georgenroot3 or send him a message at georgenroot3@gmail.com.
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